Thurgood Marshall College Fund appoints Racquel Oden as its first woman board chair

Raquel Oden has been appointed Board Chair of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), making her the first woman to do so in the organization’s 37-year history.

The appointee is a New Hampton University alumna with extensive financial industry expertise as the Head of the US for HSBC Bank, where she oversees Wealth and Personal Banking.

In a statement, she reaffirmed her commitment to upholding TMCF’s principles and raising the bar of excellence, displaying her dedication to the organization’s objective of promoting fairness and inclusion.

The trailblazer said, “As I step into this role, my commitment is to uphold the mission of TMCF by challenging inequities and providing access to opportunity for HBCU students.”

President of the TMCF, Harry L. Williams, shared his excitement about the possibilities of working with Oden, saying, “As she assumes the crucial role of Board Chair, Racquel’s historic appointment reflects a significant step forward for our organization, underscoring our commitment to equity and inclusion.”

“Her leadership is poised to guide TMCF to new heights, solidifying our position to change the world one leader at a time as well as position ourselves as an authority on equity and inclusion,” he added, according to a statement cited by Forbes.

Dr. N. Joyce Payne established TMCF in 1987, and it has been supporting Black students pursuing higher education.

A statement by the organization said Oden’s appointment as Board Chair is an important representation of TMCF’s commitment to advancing equity.

“As a board member for the past 16 years, I’ve supported TMCF as it promotes access, equity, and inclusion by nurturing the growth of talent from HBCUs through scholarships and leadership development,” said Oden. “I am excited to build on that legacy of service as the first woman to step into the role.”